Santa Clara County, CA Rental Property Rules: Repairs & Habitability (2026)
Key Facts
- Applies in
- Unincorporated Santa Clara County only
- Code adopted
- 2024 International Property Maintenance Code
- Enforcing agency
- Development Services Office
- Violation classification
- Misdemeanor, public nuisance
- Effective
- Dec. 9, 2025 (Ord. NS-1100.138)
Summary
Rental units in unincorporated Santa Clara County must meet the 2024 International Property Maintenance Code, adopted as the county's Housing Code and enforced by the Development Services Office as habitability standards.
The County Housing Code is the 2024 International Property Maintenance Code and Appendix A (Boarding) thereto, as modified by the additions, deletions, and amendments set forth in this chapter. Subject to the additions, deletions, and amendments below, the International Property Maintenance Code and Appendix A thereto are adopted by reference and made a part of this Code as fully as though set forth below.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 65).
Full Breakdown
The County Housing Code incorporates the 2024 International Property Maintenance Code and its Appendix A (Boarding provisions) by reference, with local amendments, governing habitability and property-maintenance conditions for rental and other structures in the unincorporated area of Santa Clara County: outside all fifteen incorporated cities, each of which enforces its own housing code. The Development Services Office administers the code as the "code official." Violations are unlawful and declared a public nuisance, enforceable through the criminal, civil, or administrative remedies in the County Ordinance Code.
Violations & Fines
Violating the Housing Code is a misdemeanor and a declared public nuisance, subject to criminal, civil, or administrative remedies under the County Ordinance Code (Sec. C7-3(e)-(f)).
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the county Housing Code apply inside San Jose or Palo Alto?
What habitability code does unincorporated Santa Clara County use?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Clara County
California rules heatmap·Compare Santa Clara County to another location·View the California rental property rules overview
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